Purpose:  

The WASH officer shall be responsible for the daily implementation, monitoring, and regular consultation with program partners on WASH program components. Ensure linkage, synergies and complementarity with other sectorial interventions, i.e. Nutrition, Food security and livelihood as well as proper coordination, consultation and information sharing with partner’s communities and other stakeholders.

Essential job functions

Planning, design and implementation of water and sanitation Projects.

• Identification and technical assessment of feasible water sources at the community level.
• Work in Partnership with government line ministries (county department of water) to prepare technical designs of feasible water supply projects.
• Ensure the construction of water systems (groundwater or surface water), protection, abstraction, storage, treatment, and distribution for new systems or rehabilitation of existing systems as well as the construction of the most appropriate form of sanitation systems, in consultation with the beneficiaries and line ministries
• Preparing bidding documents, materials and technical work specifications.
• Regular monitoring of ongoing WASH construction activities to ensure all the activities are as per the design, specifications and work schedule and also Verify the work done at site and recommend for payments to contractors.
• Ensure integration of Water, sanitation and hygiene promotion components of projects
• Capacity Building and strengthening of water management committees and linking with private sector service providers for post construction support.
• Ensure that   procurements are timely initiated, monitored and prioritized by the logistics team

Support implementation of sanitation and hygiene promotion activities

• In coordination with Program manager, Monitoring and evaluation officer and county teams, design and conduct all baseline assessment, KAP surveys and follow-up assessment with concrete feedback findings.
• In coordination with MEAL and WASH PM undertake/take part in quantitative/qualitative assessments to identify key risky hygiene behaviors to work on and to capture key achievements with-in the framework of project/s,
• In coordination with MOH, ensure proper implementation of hygiene and sanitation component of WASH projects with-in allocated budget and timelines.
• Support planning and implementation of community mobilization activities (using; community led total sanitation and any new methodology that may be introduced and appropriate.)
• Provide technical support to communities in construction of appropriate and context specific household latrine
• Provide support to the distribution of hygiene items, and conduct monitoring and follow up to ensure proper usage of items and appropriateness.

Reporting and Program Development

• Compile program reports on a timely basis in liaison with other program staff; Weekly SitRep, Monthly (statistical and narrative), Quarterly and annual donor reports
• Maintain full qualitative and quantitative records and reports of activities, disaggregated by age, gender where appropriate
• In collaboration with the Program Manager prepare progress reports, quarterly and final donor reports, project procurement plan and contributes to survey reports.
• In collaboration with Program Manager and coordination team; contribute in defining technical strategy when required.
• In liaison with the program manager develop project proposal to address County specific gaps
• In liaison with the County MOH/MOW and other partners, develop joint work plans for key activities as stipulated in the project document.
• Support MOH focal persons on information, data management and reporting through the KHIS and CLTS HUB
• Participate in the planning, organizing and implementation of surveys, assessments and research studies including post distribution monitoring
• Information exchange and cooperation with Action Against Hunger interventions and stakeholders
• Collaborate with all other Action Against Hunger departments and sectors to ensure the projects are integrated.
• Coordination with other Partners, Department of water, INGOs, NGOs, CBOs, communities, local leaders and the UN working in this area to ensure smooth running of projects.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• In liaison with county health management teams, the WASH officer will work closely with MOH in supervising CHVs at community level
• In liaison with the County water department, the WASH officer will work closely with the sub county water officers in supervising the water management committees at the field level

Fiscal Responsibility

• Prepare cash forecast in liaison with the other program staff in line with the work plans
• Ensure the expenditure is as stipulated in the budget lines and strict adherence to the budget limits
• Propose  anticipated budget realignment in discussion with program manager
• In liaison with the Program Manager Monitor budget spending in line with spending plan; ensure diligence in grants utilization including timely spending and value for money.
• Support the Program manager in monthly budget reviews and suggesting amendments to Finance

Physical Demands

•  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with many interruptions. Must be able to proofread own work accurately so that only minor corrections are needed on an infrequent basis.
• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 Working Conditions, Travel and Environment

The duties of the job require regular job attendance for five days per week with eight hours per day.  Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required.

Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic based on the office needs. While visiting the field, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well is to infectious diseases.

 Gender Equality Commitments & Zero Tolerance to Abuse

• Foster an environment that reinforces values of women and men, and equal access to information.
• Provide a work environment where women and men must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.
• Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all stakeholders, particularly for children, beneficiaries, and members of staff.
• Help to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment and sexual abuse and exploitation.
• Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sex orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.
• Value and respect all cultures

Requirements

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

• Degree/Diploma or technical training in civil/water engineering.
• Experience from both private and INGO sectors is an advantage.
• Knowledge of main donor requirements including UNICEF, ECHO, EU,OFDA/USAID donors

Required Skills & Competencies

• 3 years experience in a similar position.
• Previous experience in Arid and Semi-Arid lands of Kenya
• Computer skills with excellence in Microsoft Excel and Word
• Proven ability to work in a team and proven skills in capacity building and community development (including community participation)
• Good level of spoken and written English and Kiswahili.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision and have an impact on input on program indicators
• Demonstrate capacity in constructively engaging local authorities and local partners.  
• Excellent organization, coordination, report writing  skills
• Strong and effective communication and presentation skills
• Team player and  Keen to details
• Knowledge of GIS and AUTOCAD is desirable.
• Understanding of main donor requirements including UNICEF, USAID-BHA, ECHO, EU, SIDA donors

Essential job functions

Support Health System Strengthening efforts at the County level.

• In liaison with the County MOH and Partners develop joint work plans for key activities as stipulated in the project document.
• In liaison with the MOH undertake periodic capacity assessment across the health facility staff and structure OJT and Mentorship sessions to the health facilities based on specific needs.
• Work closely with the MOH and undertake classroom training for County teams on various aspects of the nutrition program to enhance program implementation
• Participate in coordination meetings at the County level with the MOH and Partners including NITWG, CNTF, CSG and any others.
• Coordinates with the other nutritional NGOs, UNICEF, WFP, other partners and MoH at County and Sub County level
• Support the development of County work plans with the S/CHMTs and schedule joint supervisions to enhance quality programming

Support community Health Strategy and Community Resilience activities

• In liaison with the Community Strategy Focal persons at the County and  Sub County level, support  CHS activities at the community level including community dialogue and action days, sensitization sessions for community members among others
• Work closely with MOH to offer technical support and sustain Mother to mother support groups for improved MIYCN practices.
• Support MOH to develop, implement  and monitor Social Behavior Change Communication Strategies in Mandera County
• Support the MOH to develop a practical community feedback mechanism geared at improving service delivery at the County level.
• Supports the nutrition team in the implementation of a community approach through regular contact and exchange with the community leaders,
• Reporting and Program Development
• Compiles program reports on a timely basis in liaison with other program staff; Weekly SitRep, Monthly(statistical and narrative), Quarterly
• In collaboration with the Nutrition Program Manager prepare progress reports, quarterly donor reports, proposals, Program reports project procurement plan and contributes to survey reports.
• In collaboration with Program Manager and coordination team; contribute in defining technical strategy when required.
• Participates in the analysis and drafting of activity reports and evaluation of the project.
• In liaison with the program manager develop a project proposal to address County specific gaps
• Support MOH focal persons on information, data management and reporting through the DHIS
• Participate in the planning, organizing and implementation of surveys, assessments and research studies including post distribution monitoring

 Information exchange and cooperation with all Action Against Hunger interventions and external stakeholders

• Collaborate with all other Action Against Hunger departments and sectors to ensure the projects are integrated
• Collaboration with other Partners, MOH (S/CHMT), INGOs, NGOs, CBOs and the UN working in this area to ensure the smooth running of projects.
• Work in collaboration with the communities and local leaders at all stages of project implementation

Finance, Logistics

• Prepare cash forecast in liaison with the other program staff in line with the work plans
• Ensure the expenditure is as stipulated in the budget lines and strict adherence to the budget limits
• Propose  anticipated budget realignment in line with field realities
• In liaison with the Program Manager and the Filed Coordinator Monitor budget spending in line with the spending plan; ensure diligence in grants utilization including timely spending and value for money.
• Support the Program Manager in monthly budget reviews and suggest amendments to Finance

Requirements

Required Qualifications and Professional Experience:

• Required qualification: Degree in BSC. Food Nutrition and Dietetics, Public health nutrition option, nursing and any other related course.
• At least 2-3 years of experience in a similar position
• Registered with Kenya Nutrition and Dietetics Institute

Required Skills & Competencies

• Conversant with the HiNi Package
• Experience in the training of health workers and Community Health Volunteers on various nutrition modules.
• Experience in nutrition counselling to caregivers and community
• Experience in conducting community dialogues
• Language skills: English and Kiswahili fluent, local language is an asset.
• Good communication, teamwork, Knowledge of MS Office,